Is mindfulness right for me?

Is this the right course, and the right time, for you?

Perhaps you've heard mindfulness can help with stress, anxiety, low mood or general well-being, and you're wondering whether it fits where you are right now. Some mindfulness programmes are designed for everyday life rather than as clinical treatment, and there are a few things worth considering so you get the most from the experience. Here are some of them.

A note about the course

Finding Peace in a Frantic World is designed for daily life, not specifically for healthcare settings. The benefits linked to it come from studies with the general population, and the people in that research were carefully selected so they could take part safely and effectively.

In the same way, when you sign up I'll ask you a few questions to check whether now is a good time for you. Occasionally I might suggest postponing, exploring a more tailored mindfulness programme, or speaking to a healthcare or mental health professional first.

Everyone's circumstances are different. If you have any doubts after reading this, please get in touch.

Things that may affect how much you benefit

• Current or recent depression

  If you're in a significant depressive episode that's making daily life difficult, a general mindfulness course may not be right just now. The sessions, guided practices and daily home practice can be especially hard when energy, motivation or mood is low.

  If you've had depression in the past, or are experiencing mild to moderate low mood, mindfulness may still be appropriate. Please talk to me about it first.

• Coping with a recent loss

  If you've recently lost someone close to you, it may help to let some time pass before starting. Grief can make the practices emotionally intense, as they can bring strong feelings to the surface.

  Please mention a recent bereavement on your application, and I may follow up to talk it through.

• Major life stressors

  Mindfulness can help with stress, but the course itself asks for real commitment: weekly sessions and daily practice. If you're in the middle of a big change, such as a new baby, losing a job, moving house or a relationship ending, adding a course might feel like too much.

  Please share any significant recent or current events on your application so we can decide together whether now is the right time.

• Insulin-dependent diabetes

  Meditation can relax the body and, over time, reduce stress for some people. That can affect blood glucose and insulin needs, and may mean your insulin timing or dosage needs adjusting.

  If you're insulin-dependent, please tell your doctor or healthcare professional that you're doing the course and discuss it with them.

• Alcohol and substance use

  Meditation practice is at the heart of the course, both in sessions and in up to 40 minutes of home practice a day. It's essential to practise when you're not affected by alcohol, recreational drugs or their after-effects.

  If you're drinking heavily or using other drugs, please think carefully about whether you'll be able to engage fully. If that's likely to be difficult, the course won't be suitable right now.

• Mania, suicidal thoughts and self-harm

  A general mindfulness course isn't appropriate if you:

  • have experienced mania or hypomania in the past six months
  • are currently self-harming
  • are experiencing suicidal thoughts

  Mindfulness may help in the longer term, but in these situations it needs to be introduced in a supportive, clinically guided setting. I'm not able to offer individual mental health advice or support.

  If you're feeling suicidal, please speak to your GP or another mental health professional. If you need help right now, call NHS 111, or call Samaritans free at any time on 116 123. In an emergency, call 999.

• If you're already in therapy

  Mindfulness courses build skills and insight for life's challenges, but they aren't therapy. Even so, doing a course at the same time as psychological therapy or treatment can be confusing or impractical.

  If you're currently in therapy, please talk with your therapist about whether this is the right time to join. I'll check in with you about it too.

• Anything else

  If you have any physical, emotional or psychological needs, please include them on your application. If now is the right time for you, I'll work with you on any reasonable adjustments that would support your learning.

I hope this helps you decide whether now is the right time to begin. I'd love to support you in exploring mindfulness, and it matters that you feel ready to take part fully, with any risks kept small through openness and the right support. Please reach out if you'd like to talk anything through.